Record cancer charity deal is agreed for Lanarkshire

May 14 2008

MARIE Curie Cancer Care and NHS Lanarkshire have concluded a contract worth more than £1m.

It is the charity’s largest-ever contract.

Nurses from the charity will provide care for those with terminal illness in the county.

NHS Lanarkshire will pay £544,000 towards the work, double the amount they spent with Marie Curie last year.

Marie Curie Cancer Care will provide equal funding, increasing the contract total to over £1m.

The nursing service will provide care aimed at helping patients to remain in their own homes.

As a result of the joint deal, the projected number of patients being cared for at home in Lanarkshire will increase from 308 to 510 in 2008/09, with an additional 15,000 hours of nursing care being provided.

This additional provision will be undertaken by about 75 nursing staff, working closely with GPs and district nurses.

A health board spokesman said: “Traditionally, Marie Curie nurses provided emotional and practical support to those alone at night.

“However, while overnight care is very important, a greater demand for day care provision has been recognised from patients and carers and the health board, GPs and district nurses.

“Marie Curie are responding accordingly.”